The course of grief resulting from the loss of one’s own health, the illness of a family member, or the death of a loved one—regardless of the circumstances—is influenced by the social support available from family, friends, and institutions. Equally important is the role played by close individuals such as colleagues in the workplace.   Support among colleagues in professional settings demonstrates appreciation and inclusion within a network of people attentive to one’s well

This type of grief is an expected emotional reaction to a significant life change that goes beyond relocating to a new physical residence. It involves many additional changes that can be understood as losses, as individuals are compelled to detach from their customs in order to adapt to a new environment with which they may initially feel disconnected Migration may represent the pursuit of better opportunities through labor mobility for economic development, but it can also r

“Attending school benefits the child socially and emotionally by reinforcing their sense of security and self-esteem, and physically as well, since it is likely one of the few activities from their previous routine that will remain unchanged, given that much of their environment has been altered.” The educational community (at all levels) often feels disoriented when facing a situation involving illness, uncertain about how to proceed or what steps to take at the school level

​“I don’t like asking the doctor questions because I feel like they’re always in a rush.” “They explain things using terms I don’t understand.” “I felt really good because they took the time to explain it to me.” “If I didn’t understand what they said, my child definitely didn’t.” “I feel embarrassed to talk to the doctor.” Because they work in a human-centered context, the medical team must be genuinely interested in establishing and maintaining a deep, supportive, and empat

Grief is identified as a reactive and multidimensional experience following the cessation of physical connection with a significant entity. The process involves adapting to a new internal and external world. It is an experience of intense psychological suffering that, over time, leads to the reconstruction of a trustworthy perception of reality, one in which the individual can continue functioning, nurturing existing and new emotional bonds. Pain, allows for the emergence of

Some countries legally recognize decisions that intentionally seek to hasten death, such as: Euthanasia : A medical act in which a physician administers drugs to painlessly end a patient’s life at their request. It is legalized in the Netherlands, Belgium, Colombia, Canada, Luxembourg, and Australia. Medically Assisted Suicide : A physician provides the means (typically medication) in response to a patient’s explicit request, allowing the patient to carry out the final act th

“ Undeniably, we all must say goodbye someday—how would you wish to say goodbye? ” ​ The end of life approaches quietly, whether through aging or illness. That’s why becoming familiar with the concept of advanced care planning is always a good idea regardless of age, health status, or diagnosis. It offers a meaningful opportunity to explore one’s options, resources, and personal wishes, ensuring that your informed choices and expressed preferences are as clearly defined as po

Living after the experience of suicide is a different kind of loss, because in addition to all the suffering that accompanies a “conventional” death, the loved one who has departed… chose to leave; and that fact triggers an arduous battle against extreme, distressing emotions, accompanied by multiple questions (most of them without answers).   For those grieving such a loss, it is important to at least attempt to understand the reasons that led to such a decision. However, it

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the perinatal period from 22 weeks of gestation to the first 28 days of the newborn’s life. Perinatal loss is therefore understood as any loss occurring during this timeframe. This includes voluntary or involuntary losses, the death of a fetus in a multiple pregnancy, and infants placed for adoption.   Gestational losses are often considered “illegitimate losses,” with grief being socially disallowed. In other words, society tends t

The loss of a loved one through disappearance is considered an “illegitimate loss,” in which grief is often disallowed. Society tends to minimize the significance of such a loss with justifications such as the absence of funeral rites, thereby generating stigma around how feelings may be expressed.   The disappearance of family members or friends is a devastating experience, its primary component being uncertainty, along with constant re-exposure to an extremely traumatic env

Waiting for test results when facing the possibility of a diagnosis—regardless of the type of illness, is often accompanied by intense...

The loss of health is one of the most difficult experiences in life. How we face it depends on a variety of factors such as our own personality, beliefs, values, habits, and skills, as well as those around us, fortunately, we all possess the capacity to confront adversity, adapt to change, and transform even the most challenging events into something positive. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the outcome will align perfectly with what we hoped for, what is certain, however,

“Suffering is often seen as something inherently negative, yet in reality, it offers us the opportunity to grow in the planning for human...

The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with real...

“Caring for a patient is both a privilege and a right, as it offers the opportunity to enjoy companionship and learn more about life” A caregiver is the person who assumes responsibility for the daily attention, support, and care of individuals who are ill (direct or extended family members, friends, neighbors, or paid professionals). ​ Ideally, a caregiver should possess certain qualities: realistic caregiving conditions (proximity, flexible schedules, physical and mental he

What is death? Will I die someday? Will my parents die too? What happens to the body?   Understanding of death according to age: ·       Ages 1–3 : Death is perceived as departure. The primary fear is abandonment or separation from parents or primary caregivers. Death is often seen as an act of violence or accident. The child needs emotional bonding for safety and affection. ·       Age 4 : Death is understood as sleep. The child may experience separation anxiety, loss of con

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care as: "The comprehensive care of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual symptoms...

Family involvement, however brief or limited it may appear throughout the course of illness until death, holds transformative potential in facilitating adaptation through the acceptance of irreversibility and the pursuit of comfort. The family undergoes changes in its structure and functioning, adopting behavioral patterns to reorganize, compensate for deficiencies, and prevent familial disintegration. ​ Assessment and Coping Identify family members and their characteristics

Throughout history, we have incorporated ceremony and ritual into every stage of the life cycle, recognizing them as powerful tools...

Just as we can make decisions about our medical care, we can also choose the conditions of our funeral, our final opportunity to dispose...